Katherine Darlene Owen

Katherine Darlene Owen, 82, died Dec. 4, 2010, at home. She was born Dec. 22, 1927, on the family farm near Hopedale, IL. Daughter of Christian Ralph and Catherine Eichelberger Nafziger, she grew up in the Mennonite faith. Katherine was an orthopedic nurse. Her degrees are from Bethel Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, Newton, KS (1952); BS in nursing, Goshen College, Goshen, IN (1954); Master of Education, Central State University, Edmond, OK (1979). She taught nursing at St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, KS; and South Oklahoma City Junior College; and was director of nursing at Ponca City, Ada and Edmond, OK, hospitals. In 1997 Katherine moved to Bell County from Edmond, OK. Alfred Raymond Owen married Katherine Nafziger Sept. 7, 1952, in Newton, KS. Raymond died in 1966. Katherine is survived by son Ralph Owen and wife Debbie, Morgan's Point Resort; son Gary Owen and wife Nadine, Bartlesville, OK; daughter Kathy Bentley, Nichols Hills, OK; son David Owen and wife Elizabeth, Natick, MA; and stepsons Ray Owen and wife Carole, Temple; Tony Owen and wife Sharon, Temple; and Barry Owen and wife Linda, Emporia, KS. Katherine's grandchildren are James Owen, Julie Barrett, Rebecca Owen, Angela Owen, Rachel and Abby Howell, Janine and Christian Owen; and step grandchildren Bryan and Chris Owen, Scott Owen, Tracey Wallace, and Melissa Kurtenbach. She had 12 living great grandchildren. Katherine also is survived by sister Marge Gunden, Naples, FL; and brother Lynn Nafziger, Goshen, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Doris Springer, step granddaughter Carrie Owen and great grandson Preston James Owen. Burial will be at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, KS. Dossman Funeral Home, Belton, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or First Presbyterian Church of Belton. Katherine most recently attended First Presbyterian Church in Belton.